Two of the most common motor vehicle accidents in the United States are car and motorcycle accidents, which can cause intense trauma and severe injuries. Many have wondered whether one type of accident is more likely or dangerous. While car and motorcycle accidents happen with alarming regularity, motorcycle accidents have a much higher injury and fatality rate than car accidents.
Those involved in car accidents have various safety features that can protect them from the potential impact of a collision, such as airbags, seatbelts, and the car’s structure. Motorcyclists lack these features, with helmets and other protective gear the only way to guard against severe injuries. No matter which is more dangerous, victims of both car and motorcycle accidents can file personal injury claims with at-fault parties to pursue compensation for damages.
Car and Motorcycle Accidents are Both Caused by Human Error
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most dangerous types of personal injury accidents a person can suffer, with car and motorcycle accidents being two of the most common. Over 278,000,000 motor vehicles are registered throughout the United States, and cars and motorcycles make up a large majority.
Many drivers have wondered whether car accidents or motorcycle accidents are more dangerous because different factors can influence both types of accidents. The design, structure, and safety features of cars and motorcycles are vastly different, meaning the effect of a collision can be different based on what vehicle you are using.
However, the cause of car and motorcycle accidents can be the same. Most of these accidents are caused by human error. Drivers and motorcyclists can cause accidents through negligent behavior, such as distracted driving, speeding, or drunk driving. Human error from designers and manufacturers can also lead to defective vehicle parts causing catastrophic accidents.
Motorcyclists Have Fewer Safety Features to Protect Them From Accident Impact
The lack of safety features can increase the risk of danger for motorcycle accidents compared to car accidents. Cars have many features that can protect drivers and passengers from car accident injuries, such as seatbelts, airbags, collision aidance systems, backup cameras, blindspot monitors, etc. The safety features in a car can help prevent accidents and protect people should they be involved in a collision. The structure of a car can also guard drivers and passengers against experiencing direct blunt force trauma from another vehicle.
Motorcycles lack these safety features and protection from the impact of a collision. There aren’t any features motorcyclists can use to avoid motorcycle accidents, leaving the cyclist on their own to ensure to follow safety tips to avoid motorcycle accidents. The design of a motorcycle can leave a rider exposed to blunt force trauma that can cause significant motorcycle accident injuries. The only protective gear motorcyclists can use include helmets, heavy-duty clothing, protective eyewear, and elbow and knee pads.
Cars are More Visible Than Motorcycles
Another element that can make riding a motorcycle more dangerous than driving a car is visibility. Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and buses. During heavy traffic where vehicles are congested, motorcycles can get lost between other large vehicles.
Drivers may miss that a motorcycle is near them or trying to change lanes in front of them. These issues can worsen during adverse weather conditions that affect visibility, such as heavy rain, fog, and snowfall. If a driver cannot see a motorcyclist as well, they may be more likely to strike them and cause a motorcycle accident accidentally.
Motorcycles are More Difficult to Control Than Cars
The motorcycle’s design also makes it harder to control. Cars are bigger and have four wheels, which makes handling sudden stops, sharp turns, and curves much easier. Motorcyclists will struggle to handle sudden movements as smoothly as someone can with a car because motorcycles have a longer stopping distance. This control difficulty can cause motorcycle accidents at red lights, stop signs, sharp turns, and intersections.
Motorcycle Accidents Have a Higher Injury and Death Rate Than Car Accidents
Due to the factors mentioned above, motorcycle accidents have a higher injury and death rate than car accidents. Fatalities are 30 times more likely to happen in a motorcycle accident than in a car accident. A severe injury or fatality happens in 80% of motorcycle accidents, while only 20% of car accidents involve an injury or death. Despite more cars being on the road, the discrepancy in the severity of motorcycle accidents against car accidents proves that motorcycles are more dangerous to drive than cars.
Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Help With a Motorcycle or Car Accident Claim?
Whether you experience a car or motorcycle accident, you will likely suffer damages that can affect your physical health, economic situation, and quality of life. Some car and motorcycle accident damages medical bills, lost wages, property damage, loss of consortium, and pain and suffering. Car and motorcycle accident victims could file personal injury claims to pursue compensation for these damages if the at-fault party caused the accident through negligent or reckless behavior.
The best way to recover compensatory damages from a car or motorcycle accident claim is by hiring an experienced lawyer to handle the process. You can work with a lawyer with vast car or motorcycle accident claim experience to determine the best steps to recover compensation for damages. They can assess the value of your claim, help you file the proper paperwork, gather evidence, and negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurer.
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Motorcycle or Car Accident Claim
The motor vehicle lawyers at The Russo Firm have decades of experience helping victims of motorcycle and car accidents. In the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, our personal injury lawyers can support you through our vast resources and advice based on expertise from years of experience.
At The Russo Firm, our motor vehicle accident attorneys can help determine the liable party, file the necessary paperwork to begin the claim process, and handle negotiations with an insurance company trying to deny, delay, or devalue your settlement. Contact us for a free consultation today at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
